Glug Brum ‘Procrastiworking’ – 23.03.17
For our first Glug event of the year, we chose the theme of ‘Procrastiworking,’ something which is very close to our heart as creative business owners ourselves – and indeed for the vast majority of freelancers and business owners on this crazy journey to going it alone.
We’ve just about recovered from an epic Glug Birmingham last Thursday! We just want to say a massive thank you from us all here at Inkygoodness and WE ARE GOODNESS for supporting Glug – it felt like a momentous occasion in more ways than one.
We were delighted to be joined by five fantastic speakers, reflecting on their individual stories and experiences of start-ups, running a studio and getting new businesses off the ground in front of a 400+ strong audience which made for a magic atmosphere – Mama Roux was buzzing!
Kicking off the evening, Pip Jamieson, founder of The Dots took to the stage to share her journey, and how she successfully made the leap from working in a 9-5 job for MTV Australia to launching her own business – a networking directory for the Australian creative community. Describing the moment her business partner wanted to go in a different direction as a ‘classic start-up hurdle’, Pip retold the experience of start-up to scale-up to start-up again, acquiring the global technology rights to launch the idea in the UK with a global vision. The Dots was the result, best described as ‘Linkedin for creatives,’ which she runs from her Shoreditch office, whilst balancing her home life on a house boat called Horace. Speaking with boundless energy and enthusiasm, her lasting advice for the next generation of creatives: “Life is short, work somewhere awesome”
Graphic designer and local brummie Paul Felton was next up – a creative with years of experience at some of London’s best regarded design studios, including Purpose (ranked seventh in the UK for awards), and MultiAdaptor. Taking the audience through some of his ‘after hours’ projects and career highlights – including The Ten Commandments of Typography/Type Heresy, a humourous, witty collection of ‘rules’ on using type, Paul revealed the challenges of going solo, whilst remaining upbeat and positive about his future plans, and the value he places on being part of the creative community of Birmingham.
Rounding off the first half of the evening, Animade’s finest Ed Barrett (Creative Director) and James Chambers (Co-Founder) delivered an energetic and insightful talk on setting up the studio, and how small, self intiated ‘procrastiprojects’ fuelled creativity and ideas in their team, such as ‘Learnz’ a series of super short animations that they encourage their interns to get involved with.
Highlights also included their celebrated ‘Olympops’ animation, a hilarious balloon themed character short, made as a fun side project to celebrate the 2016 Olympics, and ’Sect’ a series of risqué and hilarious 30 second shorts.
After a short break during which the crowd could browse a selection of pop-up stalls by local sellers including print sponsors Rope Press, People of Print and Hereford University illustration graduates Max Low and Arabella Simpson, it was time for the second round of talks!
Joyce Li, Product Designer at Ustwo kicked off the second half of the evening to share the creative process behind their latest app development – Moodnotes, a CBT-based mood journaling app that helps to improve thinking habits.
A collaboration between ustwo and clinical psychologists from Thriveport, Joyce shared the journey of breaking away from the main body of the studio and running the app as a start-up from conception to market from within the ustwo hub, with interesting results!
Last but by no means least, People of Print founder Marcroy Smith ended the night on a high. Launched in 2008 with the purpose of educating and inspiring, People of Print has grown into a fully fledged business and unique creative community working with brands, companies and educational institutions – but not without encountering a few hurdles along the way. Marcroy gave a searingly honest, light hearted and entertaining account of setting up a business from scratch, juggling side projects, raising finance and all the highs & lows of the last few years. It was a brilliant way to end an incredible night of talks, leaving a lasting impression on the audience and raising more than a few laughs!
We’d like to thank all our speakers; Pip Jaimeson (The Dots), designer Paul Felton, James Chambers & Ed Barrett of (Animade) Joyce Li of Ustwo and Marcroy Smith (People of Print), or taking time out of their day to join us at the event – we couldn’t have asked for a better turnout.
Huge thanks goes to Spotlight & Mama Roux and their team on the ground for helping the night run smoothly, Digbeth Dining Club and Hungry Pizza Co. for providing food and local print partners Rope Press for producing an awesome limited edition Riso print for the event, designed by WE ARE GOODNESS talent Playground Paris.
Another big thank you goes to Glug global sponsors Austin Fraser, We Transfer, BIMA, The Drum, Manifest, Computer Arts, Deliveroo, local sponsors and tech team Cue Events and of course the team at Ustwo for donating their awesome Moodnotes totes! Glug videos will be available soon courtesy of Visual Creative Films.
We’re now full steam ahead on plans for our Summer Glug event, curated by Birmingham Art Director (and past speaker) Luke Tonge and inspired by all things type – and you’ll be pleased to know first release Super Early Bird tickets will be on sale on Wednesday April 5th via Eventbrite.
Glug Birmingham is organised by Inkygoodness, supported by illustration agency WE ARE GOODNESS, in partnership with Glug Worldwide.
Images courtesy of Jonathan Cherry, Copyright 2017 Glug Events.